CEBU, Philippines - The young but promising Yuan Chiongbian came up with the most impressive performance among all Cebuano top performers in yesterday's Alaska IronKids at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
In his third and final race under his age group as he is now breaching the 14-year-old limit for this developmental triathlon event made possible by Alaska Milk Corporation, Chiongbian saved his best for last enroute to a gold medal finish in the boys 13-14 category.
Chiongbian actually won gold right away during his first try, but missed a back-to-back titles due to a foreign entry last year.
This time, Chiongbian made sure that he is better prepared with or without foreign contenders in his class.
Riding high on his victory in the Singapore International Triathlon last week, Chiongbian crossed the finish line with the best time of 42 minutes and 50.7 seconds. He completed the 400-meter swim in only seven minutes and five seconds, clocked in 22;35 in the 12k bike, and finished the 3K run in 13:12.
"I'm better prepared this year. And yes, I can say that I'm saving the best for last," said Chiongbian, a multi-titled member of the national triathlon developmental team.
Lucian Antonio Alejo was a distant second with a time of 45:51.4, while John Caleb Barlin landed third in 45:53.2.
The Yu siblings Justin and Catherine caught part of the spotlight, with Justin turning silver into gold this time in the boys 9-10 class with a time of 27 minutes and 43.4 seconds out of the 200m swim, 6K bike and 1.5K run.
His sister Catherine caught everyone by surprise after pacing second to Tara Borlain, one of the most decorated Alaska IronKids participants, in the girls 11-12 bracket.
Borlain ended her 2015 bid with a gold in 34 minutes and 34 seconds, while Yu came out a strong second with a time of 35:54.1 out of the 300m swim, 9K bike and 2K run.
Another Cebuana entry in Raven Faith Alcoseba made a memorable debut after placing third out of 22 female entries with a time of 37:07.08, not bad for a first timer.
Alcoseba's comrades from Talisay City had a 1-2 finish in two mixed relay classes, with Jana Cañete, Fresh Loraine Seguerra and Justin Hermosa winning the 6-9 class at the expense of their teammates Fiona Alcoseba, Dave Fernandez and Saavik Scheuer.
In the 10-14 relay, the Cebuanos scored a clean sweep. Talisay's Sam Daniel Aquino, Renz Curbin and Earnest Racaza bagged the gold, their teammates Franco Rodriguez, Ylana Scheur and Nikkalyn Gonzalez took the silver, while Team GKA composed of Gavynne Alcantara, Kenji Co and Alana Choachuy snatched the bronze.
The other age groups winners were Michael Gabriel Lozada (18:03.20) and Maria Chelsea Faith Minoza (18:20.6) in the 6-8 category, Lorayne Lencioco (girls 9-10, 27:09.5), Juan Francisco Baniqued (boys 11-12, 33:54.7), and Nicole Danielle Eijan Santos (girls 13-14, 42:50.7).- (FREEMAN)